Staff & Board Members

AMY HUFNAGEL
Executive Director

Amy joined ACE Houston as the Executive Director in April of 2022 after being involved with the program as a mentor and board member for almost ten years. She initially got involved with ACE Houston as a mentor in 2012 while working at Walter P Moore and later served as a lead mentor for three years at the Downtown location. Amy joined the Executive Board of Directors in 2017 and became the Chair of the inaugural Associate Board in 2018. Amy graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a MS in Structural Engineering and is a licensed professional engineer.Connect with Amy: amy@acementorhouston.org

BILL PALAMOUNTAIN
Bookkeeper

Bill has served as the CFO for public and private companies operating nationally and internationally. He also founded a company producing recycling equipment nationally for 25 years. Bill joined the ACE Houston team as a volunteer in 2021.

R. SCOTT CRAIN
Chair

Scott is Vice President of Construction for Garrison Construction Group. With 25 years of experience in project and operations management, tenant improvement, and capital projects, his approach is to focus on achieving business objectives. Scott's experience includes operational oversight, business development, and team member growth and development. He joined the ACE Houston board in 2018, and since then has served as Communications Committee Chair and Treasurer prior to moving in his current role as Chair of the Executive Board. Scott holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior and Management from the University of Houston and a Certificate of International Management from Solvay University.

INGA ZUNTE
Chair Elect

Inga is a Design Manager and Architect at Gensler within their Lifestyle practice area. She brings over 17 years of experience working on restaurants, hotels, retail centers, and cruise ship interiors, including new construction projects as well as complex renovations that bridge the gap between interior and architecture design. Inga started volunteering as a mentor at the Downtown location in 2015, served as an Associate Board Member for many years, and joined the Executive Board in 2022.

DEREK SOLTES

Treasurer

Derek is practicing architect who is inspired by working with others towards a better world for all of us. Being involved with ACE Mentor Program Houston is a natural fit and an extension of his desire to help others reach their goals through leadership and support. Derek got involved with ACE Houston as a mentor in 2016 and joined the Executive Board in 2017. He is currently serving his second consecutive term as Treasurer.

VERR SOLTES

Secretary

Verr Soltes is a Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager at Kirksey Architecture within their Science, Technology, and Healthcare studio. Verr began her journey in architecture as a freshman in high school taking drawing and architecture classes and has a heart for helping introduce students to careers in built environments. She is a Registered Architect, Registered Interior Designer, Licensed in Real Estate, and a LEED Green Associate. Verr has participated in various philanthropic organizations focused on youth, including starting the Space City Chapter of National Charity League, as well as participating in Rodeo Houston, Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, various booster and PTA groups, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Gulf Coast Chapter. Verr has been a friend of ACE since 2019 and became involved in 2022. She joined the Executive Board and was elected as Secretary in 2024; she also serves on the Fundraising Committee.

ADAM CRYER

Executive Committee Member

Adam Cryer is Co-founder and President of Pinnacle Structural Engineers, headquartered in Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of Rice University, who subsequently obtained his Masters in Structural Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. In 2014, Adam was named as a Top 40 Under 40 Professional by Building Design & Construction magazine, as well as one of Structural Engineering magazine’s Top 15 Rising Stars in the U.S. Adam has been involved with ACE Houston since 2012, and since then has served as a mentor, board member, Executive Committee member, and Vice Chair of the Board.

ERIN KUEHT
Executive Committee Member

As a structural engineer and Principal at Walter P Moore, Erin is passionate about helping students realize their potential and recognizing and reaching the opportunities that are available to them. She has filled the roles of mentor, lead mentor, board member, and Board Secretary since she started with ACE when the Houston affiliate started in 2009. Erin was born and raised through Houston ISD schools and loves teaching and explaining some of the amazing experiences she has had in her thirteen years experience in the industry.

CHARLENE ANTHONY

Charlene is the Senior Director of Professional Development for the Associated General Contractors of America - Houston Chapter, and has spent her entire professional career in non-profit organizations. She has been involved in ACE Mentor Houston since 2008, making her one of our inaugural members. She is passionate about education and scholarships.

KIT CICARDO

Kit is a Financial Analyst with Chevon and an MBA candidate at Rice University with a passion for mentoring and empowering students in their career development journeys. As a Rice Business Board Fellow partnering with ACE Houston, he brings experience from various financial roles at Chevron, where he's focused on optimizing financial processes and digital finance. Kit is deeply committed to fostering opportunities that inspire and equip the next generation of leaders, and he's excited to contribute to a mission that aligns with his dedication to education and professional growth. Kit joined the ACE Houston board in 2025.

ANDRE COOPER

Andre is a Project Manager with Hensel Phelps and brings 18 years of experience in the construction industry, with a strong background in managing complex projects, including with his current role in overseeing the IAH FIS Expansion and Renovation. Throughout his career, he's developed a deep appreciation for how collaborative leadership, strategic planning, and effective project execution drives success. As a new member of the Board, his goal is to play an active role in the evolution of ACE Houston, contributing to its growth and success from a managerial perspective. He is passionate about using his experience to help the organization strengthen its impact on the community and is committed to giving back by helping shape the future of ACE Houston—one step at a time. Andre joined the Executive Board in 2025 and serves as a mentor at the Galena Park location

ANGELA COTIE

Angela is a Vice President at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors and has been involved with many high-profile projects during her 23 years that have received multiple local, national, and international awards. A Penn State graduate, Angela was an ENR Texas/Louisiana Top 20 under 40 in 2015 and a 2018 STEAM Role Model for Houston Women’s Chamber. She is working with the AGC starting a local Women in Construction initiative. Angela served as ACE Mentor Houston’s Chairman of the Board for five years and now serves as Past Chair. She is also a board member for PSU’s Architectural Engineering Program, Board Member for Houston Parkinson’s Society, a Galveston Career Connect leader, HISD chamber member, and active with her children's school FFA and activities.

DIANA DAVIS

As Managing Director of the Houston office of Perkins & Will, Diana provides strategic, executive and financial leadership, while supporting excellence in design. As Principal and Healthcare market sector leader for the Houston practice, she brings over 20 years of experience working with academic medical center and community hospital clients. Diana joined the ACE Houston Executive Board in 2019, and currently serves on the Alumni Committee.

NICK FLOYD

Nick is an Associate Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc (SGH), where he has focused on investigation and remedial design of building enclosures for over 20 years. A University of Texas at Austin graduate, Nick moved back to Texas in 2015 to help SGH start their Houston office. Nick joined the ACE Houston Scholarships Committee in 2021 and the ACE Houston board in 2024. He currently serves as the Chair of our Scholarships Committee.

LAUREN MADISON

Lauren is a Principal and Senior Project Manager with Dally + Associates, Inc., Structural & Civil Engineering. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors in Architectural Engineering. Lauren and her husband lived in Chicago for 14 years prior to moving to Houston in 2015 to take advantage of professional opportunities in the growing area. Lauren has been involved with ACE Houston since then as a mentor at several different locations. She was named a Mentor of the Year in 2021-2022 after helping her student team win 3rd place in the national ACE/CIRT design competition in Washington D.C. Lauren brought a fresh perspective and excitement with her as she joined the Executive Board in 2024.

JORDANA PAKER

As Business Development Manager with Austin Commercial, Jordana oversees the growth of new business in the Southwest Region. Leveraging more than 20 years of national and regional commercial real estate experience, Jordana excels in cultivating high-performance partnerships and driving market expansion. Originally from Chicago, IL, Jordana first got involved with the Chicago affiliate of ACE, along with the Engineering Futures program. She started volunteering for the ACE Houston Scholarship Committee in 2021 and joined the Executive Board in 2022. She is currently the Chair of our Fundraising Committee.

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ROBERT ROGERS

Robert is a Vice President and structural engineer at Thornton Tomasetti. He loves seeing kids and adults grow and develop into amazing people. His favorite part of ACE is seeing the development of the students from the beginning of the year to the end. The smiles and confidence that come when the students realize how much they've accomplished is irreplaceable. Robert has been involved in ACE at several different affiliates for over 15 years, during which time he has served as a mentor, team leader, Associate Board Chair, keynote speaker, and Board Member. He joined the ACE Houston Executive Board in 2020 and currently serves on our Fundraising Committee.

ALISON SUARATO

Alison is an Environmental Director at Watco and is responsible for managing environmental compliance at terminals, ports, and railroads throughout Texas and the Western United States. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and began her career at an engineering consulting firm in New Haven, CT prior to relocating to Houston in 2015. Alison became involved with ACE Houston in 2016 and joined the Executive Board in 2024. During the past eight years, she has served as a mentor, lead mentor, Associate Board Member, and Chair of the Mentor Committee.

A.J. SUSTAITA

A.J. is a Principal for DLR Group with a focus on K-12 Education design. As a native Houstonian and a second-generation architect, he brings 30 years of experience in the AEC industry. He has a passion for philanthropy and assisting the next generation of leaders in design. Previously, A.J. has supported ACE through individual connections and sponsorship opportunities. He joined the Executive Board in 2024.

DEREK WEBB

Derek is a Principal and Founder of DEK Studio in Houston, TX. Derek has practiced architecture in Houston since 2004 and joined the ACE Houston Executive Board in 2021, where he has consistently served on the Scholarships Committee. Derek’s work can be characterized as having a deep connection to place, memory, and an intimate relation with people. A past President of AIA Houston and an AIA National 2015 Young Architect Award winner, Derek and his work have been published locally and nationally, and he is a regularly invited critic at Houston area design schools. By joining ACE, he is excited to help mentor and influence the next generation of design and construction professionals.

CHRIS PALAMOUNTAIN

Legal Counsel

Chris is Senior Counsel in the Labor & Employment practice group of Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Chris began serving as legal counsel to the ACE Houston Executive Board in 2019.

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